Chinese Site Reports Apple Planning October Release for iPad Air 2

By Bryan Chaffin

Sep 22nd, 2014 8:24 PM EDT

Apple is planning to release the next iPad in October, according to Chinese-language site Commercial Times (Google Translation). Citing sources in Apple's Chinese supply chain, the site said that Apple would release the "iPad Air 2" next month, while the iPad mini won't be updated until the first quarter of 2015.

In that Apple will will certainly update the iPad this fall, and September is nearly over, October is the next obvious month for Apple to hold another media event. In addition, Apple is expected to release OS X Yosemite on October, as well as launch Apple Pay, the company's foray into mobile payments.

It would, however, be quite unusual for Apple to hold off on an iPad mini until 2015, at least 15 months after the device was introduced in October of 2013. Apple is, of course, famous for waiting to release new products until they are ready, but the company has also kept a yearly schedule for its iOS devices for most of its existence.

For some extra fun, The Commercial Times said that Apple will ramp up production of a rumored 12.9-inch iPad in the second quarter of 2015.

In short, new iPads in October. That seems likely. No new iPad mini models until 2015 is less likely. A large-screen iPad, let's call it an iPad Pro—sure, why not? It's been a logical move for some time, but I wouldn't put too much stock in this particular report.